Tunisia: Body parts found in Sidi Bouzid, Kasserine provinces February 21

Event

The head of a missing man was found in the Jebel Mghilla area (Sidi Bouzid province) on Thursday morning (local time), February 21. His decapitated body was later found Thursday afternoon in the Subyatilah area (Kasserine province). Authorities suspect a terrorist motive for the attack. Similar incidents are possible in Sidi Bouzid and Kasserine provinces over the near term.

Context

Islamist militants are active in some provinces of Tunisia, particularly in mountainous areas in the west of the country (e.g. Kasserine province) and southern desert areas along the border with Libya (e.g. Tataouine and Medenine provinces).

Advice

Due to the terrorist threat, individuals across Tunisia are advised to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities, particularly when visiting sites deemed especially likely to be targeted in an attack (e.g. public transportation, train stations, ports, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, festivals, etc.). Certain Western governments advise against travel to the south of the country (i.e. regions on the borders with Algeria and Libya) due to the presence of armed groups.